Fee: Maximum daily rate is £150/day
Closing date: 17:00 GMT, 7 February 2022
Background to the assignment
This assignment falls within the Supply Side Connectivity Cluster (SSCC) of CCA but will work across the other four Clusters. The main goal of the SSCC is to encourage the participation of all Commonwealth members in global value chains and it is being led by the Government of Vanuatu. The current focus of the Cluster is on digital agriculture and digital fisheries with activities being organised around four main areas while working with three main stakeholder groups and other partners. These four areas are:
Area I: Development of digital agriculture and digital fisheries framework and indices at national level
The policy issue under this area is that member states currently have no comprehensive tool to monitor, track, assess, and report the impact of “digitalisation” (not digital technologies) on the agricultural and fisheries sectors. The Cluster has begun work on a framework together with some other partners that could eventually lead to an index to respond to this issue at national level and eventually intra-Commonwealth. Going forward the process will take a multi-stakeholder approach and constitute Working Groups to refine the pillars of the framework, develop indicators, and supporting questions to build the index. The main stakeholder group here is the member state government in collaboration with other development organisations, donors, and researchers across and beyond the Commonwealth.
Area II: Supporting member states governments with agricultural and fisheries data infrastructure coordination at national level
The policy issue under this area is that there is total absence of national governments’ leadership within the smallholder digital agriculture and digital fisheries sectors. The Cluster has begun a dialogue on the subject focusing on facilitating the role of national governments to coordinate digital agricultural and digital fisheries data infrastructure. Interested member states will be invited for piloting the approach in selected countries across the Commonwealth with the goal of proving the business case of such an infrastructure for the private sector for investment. The main stakeholder group is the member state governments in collaboration with private sector service providers and investors.
Area III: Supporting capacity building across all stakeholder groups, beginning with MSMEs
The policy issue under this area is that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the capacity gap with leveraging digitalisation within the sectors. The Cluster has begun work on business development services capacity building for selected micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the sectors to build back after the pandemic. Emphasis is being placed on grassroot MSMEs with the goal of building hubs around the themes and geographies to help scale the initiative across more enterprises. The main stakeholder group is the private sector in partnership with governments and other partners.
Area IV: Leveraging digitalisation across the agricultural and fisheries sectors through the users and their associations
The policy issue under this area is the challenge of scale and sustainability of digital solutions and services across the value chains. The focus will be on connecting and empowering the users beginning with the farmers, fishers and their associations to better harness the potential of the tools within the sectors. Activities will also involve digital innovators and include facilitating experience sharing activities across the Commonwealth regions. The main stakeholder groups are the farmers, fishers and their associations in partnership with innovators and other intermediaries in support of access and use of the services.
The Analyst is being engaged to contribute to the timely and efficient delivery of results by the Cluster under the four areas outlined above.
Scope of the requirement
The Analyst will work closely with the Adviser on day-to-day basis to provide support with technical; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; and communication activities within the Cluster to ensure successful design and roll out of all activities. The incumbent will carry out the following activities in close collaboration with the Adviser:
Technical:
- Assist with research, backstopping, and preparation of technical and policy documents relating to the subject.
- Assist with organising, documenting, synthesising, and capturing lessons during dialogues, and experience sharing events.
- Liaise with member countries, partners, and other consultants with the roll out of activities under the Cluster.
To be considered for this opportunity, you will need;
Education:
- Masters’ degree in information science, agriculture/fisheries, rural/international development, management, public policy, economics, business administration or related discipline.
Experience:
- At least 2 years’ relevant professional experience in agriculture, fisheries, research or communication.
Skills:
- Demonstrated skills in data collection, analysis, and report writing.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, flexibility and ability to perform under pressure.
- Excellent team player.
- Passionate about international development.
- Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment.
- Strong interpersonal and (spoken and written) communication skills.
- Ability to constructively and tactfully engage with senior private sector partners and policymakers to solicit relevant information.
- Knowledge of least developed countries (LDC) and small island developing states (SIDS) context is an advantage.
Please apply for this contract by submitting a Technical and Commercial proposal to [email protected] by 7 February 2022.
Prices quoted should include VAT but must indicate clearly where VAT is applicable and where items might be zero-rated.
Evaluation will be based on both competency and cost.
Closing date: 17:00 GMT, 7 February 2022